Historical Astronomical Illustrations

Engravings depicting meteors, constellations, and astronomical figures from historic texts, showcasing early astronomy themes.

A representation of the constellation of Andromeda from the 'Uranometria' of Johann Bayer, published 1603, and engraved by Alexander Mair. This was the first modern Western star atlas based on new astronomy of Tycho Brahe and Johannes Kepler.
A representation of the constellation of Andromeda from the 'Uranometria' of Johann Bayer, published 1603, and engraved by Alexander Mair. This was the first modern Western star atlas based on new astronomy of Tycho Brahe and Johannes Kepler.
168 assets in this story
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Engraving depicting a meteor flying over England. Dated 18th Century
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A representation of the constellation of Andromeda from the 'Uranometria' of Johann Bayer, published 1603, and engraved by Alexander Mair. This was the first modern Western star atlas based on new astronomy of Tycho Brahe and Johannes Kepler.
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METEOR SEEN IN NOTTINGHAMSHIRE
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A representation of the Zodiacal constellation of Gemini, from the 'Uranometria' of Johann Bayer, published 1603, and engraved by Alexander Mair. This was the first modern Western star atlas based on new astronomy of Tycho Brahe and Johannes Kepler.
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A representation of the Zodiacal constellation of Taurus the Bull, from the 'Uranometria' of Johann Bayer, published 1603, and engraved by Alexander Mair. This was the first modern Western star atlas based on new astronomy of Tycho Brahe and Johannes Kepler.
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Constellation of Pegasus
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A representation of the constellation of Ophiuchus, which was also known formerly as Serpentarius, the Serpent-Bearer, from the 'Uranometria' of Johann Bayer, published 1603, and engraved by Alexander Mair. This was the first modern Western star atlas based on new astronomy of Tycho Brahe and Johannes Kepler.
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Telescopic appearance of the Moon, 1833
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The Genesis creation narrative is the creation myth of both Judaism and Christianity. The Fourth Day of Creation: Day and night are created. From Physique sacree, ou Histoire-naturelle de la Bible, 1732-1737, by Johann Jakob Scheuchzer (1672 - 1733), a Swiss scholar born at Zurich
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Woodblock print depicting the Great Comet of 1264. Dated 15th Century
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The Vulcan automatic water sprinkler.
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A representation of the constellation of Draco the Dragon from the 'Uranometria' of Johann Bayer, published 1603, and engraved by Alexander Mair. This was the first modern Western star atlas based on new astronomy of Tycho Brahe and Johannes Kepler.
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Engraving depicting Nikola Tesla's A.C. experiments: high frequency luminous dish. Nikola Tesla (1856-1943) a Serbian-American inventor, electrical engineer, mechanical engineer, physicist, and futurist. Dated 20th century
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19th century engraving depicting a camp fire at night, American outback 1860
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Aurora Borealis or Northern Lights observed from the Isle of Sky, Scotland, 11 September 1874. Caused by high-speed particles ejected from the Sun, they are most commonly observed during periods of maximum sunspots. From 'Die Naturkrafte' by M Wilhelm Meyer (Leipzig, 1903). Chromolithograph.
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Constellation of Perseus
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Constellation of Ursa Minor
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A representation of the Zodiacal constellation of Aries, from the 'Uranometria' of Johann Bayer, published 1603, and engraved by Alexander Mair. This was the first modern Western star atlas based on new astronomy of Tycho Brahe and Johannes Kepler.
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Constellation of Ursa Major
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Constellation of Hydra
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Illustration depicting Biela's Comet, a periodic Jupiter-family comet. Dated 19th Century
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A representation of the constellation of Bootes from the 'Uranometria' of Johann Bayer, published 1603, and engraved by Alexander Mair. This was the first modern Western star atlas based on new astronomy of Tycho Brahe and Johannes Kepler.
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Skiopticon image from the Department of Photography at the Royal Institute of Technology. Use by Professor Helmer Bäckström as lecture material. Bäckström was Sweden's first professor in photography at the Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm 1948-1958.Blixt photography quickly moving objects and rapid processes. Fan with smoke. For more info see: Bäckström, Helmer. Photographic manual. Other revised edition. Nature and Culture. Stockholm. 1948. p. 876.
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Ancient printed diagram of sphere of Ptolemy
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A representation of the constellation of Triangulum from the 'Firmamentum Sobiescianum sive Uranographia' of Johannes Hevelius of Danzig (modern Gdansk), 1687.
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astronomy measuring instruments Atlas carrying armillary sphere colour woodcut from ""Opusculum geographicum"" by Johann Sch_ner Nuremberg 1533 private collection,
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Constellation of Triangulum
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Acremonium (formerly Cephalosporium) mould fungus , illustration. Acremonium is a hyaline hyphomycete (glassy, lightly pigmented conidial fungus) that...
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Prints of the Brain and the Heart. Around 1735 Jan lAdmiral printed several remarkable anatomical prints in colour, among others on commission for the celebrated physician Frederik Ruysch. For his illustrations of the cerebral membrane (the skull of an unborn child) and a human heart he experimented with ever different colours, and made various versions of them. The objective was to provide medical practitioners with the most precise and realistic images possible.
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Map of the itinerary Trip to Papua New Guinea by Achille Raffray 1876-1877. Le Tour du Monde 1879
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A representation of the constellation of Draco from the 'Firmamentum Sobiescianum sive Uranographia' of Johannes Hevelius of Danzig (modern Gdansk), 1687.
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Verne Jules 8.2.1828 - 24.3.1905 French author writer illustration from ""From the Earth to the Moon"" (De la Terre a la Lune) 1865 wood engraving,
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A Section of the Constellation Cygnus (August 13, 1885) 1885 Paul Henry French Astronomers at the Paris Observatory, the brothers Paul and Prosper Henry inherited in 1872 a project begun twenty years earlier--the mapping of the heavens by means of painstaking observation, calculation, and notation. In a dozen years they charted nearly fifty thousand stars. When, in 1884, their survey approached the Milky Way, the Henry brothers found that the cluster of stars proved far too dense and complex to chart by eye, and they constructed a photographic telescope to produce an exact, objective record of the sky. That photography might serve astronomy was evident from the very beginning. Daguerre's standard-bearer François Arago, director of the Paris Observatory, declared in July 1839 that the daguerreotype would eventually accomplish with ease the most delicate and difficult astronomical tasks, such as mapping the surface of the moon. Indeed, before the Henry brothers' first use of the medium,
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The constellation of Cancer, the crab. Date: 1849
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Engraving depicting Captain Nemo observing a giant octopus, from Jules Verne's '20,000 Leagues under the Sea.' Dated 19th Century
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From left to right a standing oval, circle and standing oval. The drawing is part of an album, Three round forms, closed Spieghel der schrijfkonste (series title), Jan van de Velde (I), Rotterdam, 1605, paper, pen, h 199 mm × w 317 mm
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Engraving depicting a map of the moon based on the observations of Giovanni Battista Riccioli and Giovanni Domenico Cassini. Giovanni Battista Riccioli (1598-1671) a Catholic priest in the Jesuit Order and an astronomer. Giovanni Domenico Cassini (1625-1712) an Italian mathematician, astronomer and engineer. Dated 19th century
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Design for a compotle, Mathieu Lauweriks, 1910 drawing. photograph Design for cutlery. paper. pencil spoon
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Relationship of the Sun to the earth, Sébastien Leclerc (I), 1706 print Numbered in the bottom right: 65. print maker: Francepublisher: Paris paper etching sun as celestial body. earth, world as celestial body
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Solar prominences, According to Littrow miracles of the sky
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Engraving depicting the planet Jupiter. Dated 19th century
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Galileo's drawing of a crescent moon. Galileo Galilei (1564-1642) an Italian polymath, physicist, philosopher, mathematician, and astronomer. Dated 17th century
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Engraving depicting the interior of the earth shown as the source of volcanic activity. Dated 17th century
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Vintage Photograph. Artist depiction of a satellite and globe. Frame 8
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Caricature of Jean-Pierre Blanchard's (1753-1809) a French inventor, balloon. Dated 20th Century
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Kompozycja heliograficzna (IV). Date/Period: 1932. Photomechanical prints. Author: Karol Hiller.
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A microphotography reproduction by Bruno Meyer created on a glass diapositive. The image documents microscopic subjects and photographic reproduction techniques.
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Ganymede, a moon of Jupiter, is inhabited by cat-like people, who build their cities at the poles to exploit the magnetic force to provide heat, light and energy. Date: 1942
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The Constellation Gemini Date: Not known
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A view of Uranus, or Herschel as it was also known. Date: 1849
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Zoology - Echinoderms - Echinoidea - Sea urchin, illustration
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Two world balls, Anonymous, 1690 print All over the sun. Below that a view of the globe in two halves with only rivers. Under a view of the earth with land. Both earth balls between clouds. Numbered at the top right: 975. Amsterdam paper etching / engraving earth, world as celestial body
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Albumin stereo photograph showing the Eishöhle (ice cave) in the White Mountains, New Hampshire, captured by William England in 1859.
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The eye, as seen through a microscope: two figures. Colour lithograph after R. Liebreich, ca. 1860.
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Le monde de la mer Paris, L. Hachette & Cie, 1866 marine plants, marine animals, Woods Hole, This artwork features a detailed illustration of the 'Galeolaire Orangeée,' a type of organism from the Caribbean Sea. Two figures are depicted in an elegant, fluid style, showcasing their unique anatomy. The male specimen is represented with distinct features, while the female counterpart is highlighted nearby. Intricate lines and dots illustrate their physical characteristics and surroundings, emphasizing the beauty of marine life. The vibrant background contrasts against the delicate details of the organisms, creating a striking visual representation of biodiversity in the ocean.
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Hemelboden, Henricus Wilhelmus Couwenberg, 1830 - 1845 print Amsterdam paper steel engraving astronomical phenomena
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Résultats scientifiques de la campagne du 'Caudan' dans le Golfe de Gascogne, août-septembre 1895, Paris, Masson, 1896, marine animals, Caudan ship, The illustration features a detailed arrangement of various crustacean anatomy and parts, showcasing multiple species' appendages and body structures. The layout is systematic, presenting a wide range of morphological features, including claws, shells, and limbs. Each section is meticulously labeled with numbers corresponding to specific anatomical parts, highlighting their unique characteristics. This depiction serves as a reference for the study of crustacean biology and taxonomy, emphasizing the diversity and complexity within this group of marine organisms.
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The eye, as seen through a microscope: three figures. Colour lithograph, ca. 1861.
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Echinoderm is the common name for any member of the phylum Echinodermata of marine animals, Psammechinus microtuberculatus, also known as the green sea urchin, Historic, digitally restored reproduction of a 19th century original
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Cartoon on the occasion of the Leeuwenhoek celebration, 1875, 1875 print Cartoon on the occasion of the Leeuwenhoek celebration in 1875. The Hague political life in a water drop investigated under the microscope. Plaat appeared at the Weekblad De Nederlandsche Spectator, no. 37, 1875. print maker: Netherlandsprinter: Netherlandspublisher: Arnhempublisher: The Hague paper microscope
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Cochineal cactus (Nopalea cochenillifera) with insects that feed on it, including th cochineal insect (Dactylopius coccus). Coloured etching by J. Pass, c. 1801, after J. Ihle.
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Faune du calcaire carbonifère de la Belgique Bruxelles, F. Hayez, impr, 1878-87, Belgium, brachiopod, fossil, carboniferous, fishes, fossil, mollusks, fossil, paleontology, fossils, sea, ocean, shells, The illustration features a series of intricate line drawings of various snail shell specimens, categorized vertically. Each shell is numbered sequentially, accompanied by detailed annotations that likely indicate their classification within a scientific context. The designs highlight the unique shapes and textures of the shells, showcasing their diversity in form. The layout suggests a systematic study, possibly for an academic publication related to malacology or the taxonomy of mollusks. Each specimen is presented with a precision that captures the delicate curves, patterns, and features inherent to these natural forms.
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Uranic photograph from 1857 showing the form of a plant with stems, leaves, and botanical structure.
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Welfare photos of Operation Cue Atomic Explosion , Nuclear explosions, Nuclear weapons testing, Civil defense. Records of the Office of Civil Defense and Defense Mobilization
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The constellation of Scorpio, the scorpion. Date: 1849
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Engraving depicting a map of the Moon based on observations by Giovanni Battista Riccioli, Giovanni Domenico Cassini, Christian Mayer and others. Dated 19th century
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Partial eclipse of the moon: Observed October 24, 1874. Trouvelot, E. L. (Etienne Leopold). Prints, Scientific illustrations. 1881 - 1882. Rare Book Division. Astronomy
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Artist's impression of a view of the Lunar daytime landscape. Stars are visible became there is no atmosphere to scatter light. Dated 19th century
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An engraving depicting the Bessemer process for the mass production of steel from molten pig iron before the development of the open hearth furnace. Named after Henry Bessemer (1813-1898) an English inventor. Dated 19th century
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Foundry, verso: Portrait of Nicolaus Copernicus (photogravure). Łopieński, Ignacy (1865-1941), graphic artist
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Varieties of marble including ruin marble, shell marble, coquina or shell limestome, shattered marble and coral marble. Chromolithograph from Dr. Aldolph Kenngott's "Mineralogy" section in Gotthilf Heinrich von Schubert's "Naturgeschichte," Schreiber, Munich, 1886.
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Solar protuberances observed at Palermo, Sicily, by P. Taschini 8th July 1872 Date: 1872
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Artist's impression of a view of the Lunar daytime landscape. Stars are visible became there is no atmosphere to scatter light. Dated 19th century
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A paper collage interpreting the craters and ridged planes of Mars and the Viking 2 as it passed over Mar's surface on 2 November 1982, prior to landing.
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Chemistry: a piece of steel wire burning in oxygen inside a glass jar. Mezzotint, 1809.
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Earth seen from the Moon Date: circa 1880
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Orbium Planetarum Terram, Celestial & Astrological Charts
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The constellation of Auriga which lies between Gemini and Perseus. Date: 1849
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Diagram of a Nocturnal, an instrument used to determine time at night by the stars. Dated 18th Century
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Face examining plant through magnifier
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P-21758 BW Range 246,000 kilometers (152,000 miles) This picture by Voyager 2 is the first close look ever obtained of Jupiter's satellite, Europa. The linear crack-like features had been seen from a much greater distance by Voyager 1 but this image provides a resolution of about four kilometers (2.5 miles). The complicated linear features appear even more like cracks or huge fractures in these images. Also seen are somewhat darker mottled regions which appear to have a slightly pitted appearance, perhaps due to small scale craters. No large craters (more than five kilometers in diameter) are easily identifiable in the Europa photographs to date, suggesting that this satellite has a young surface relative to Ganymede and Callisto, although not perhaps as young as Io's. Various models for Europa's structure will be tested during analysis of these images, including the possibility that the surface is a thin ice crust overlying water or softer ice and that the fracture systems seen are br
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Stellatum Planispherium, Celestial & Astrological Charts
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Range 1,550,000 km ( 961,000 miles ) These high resolution pictures of Jupiter's ring were obtained by Voyager 2 some 26 hrs. past the planet, 2 degrees below the ring plane. The forward scattering of sunlight reveals a radial distribution and density gradient of very small particles extending inward from the ring toward Jupiter. There is an indication of structure within the ring, but unfortunatly the spacecrafts motion during these long exposures blurred out the highest resolution detail, particularly in the frame at right.
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Plan of Lavinium in early historic and archaic age, drawing
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Great Britain as the center of the solar system, 1807; Malignant Aspects Looking With Envy on John Bull and His Satelites, OR A New Planetary System .. John Bull (Great Britain) like a radiant sun, Happy and safe center of a hostile solar system. It is surrounded by its satellites or planets: all kinds of enemies including the Corsican comet (Napoleon), the American Software (Torpedo) and the Dutch frog.
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Engraving depicting the Great Comet of 1843. Dated 19th Century
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Crabtree's Card Setting Machine. Copied by permission of the Proprietor from the original in the Great Exhibition.
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Constellations of Aquila and Antinous
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A group of scientific instruments. On the right, a microscope, globe, armillary, map and bird under a galze bell jar. On the left, a telescope, a fire mirror, an electrifying machine, a scale and books. In the center an (empty) cartouche, from which hangs a laurel wreath, Cartouche surrounded by scientific instruments, print maker: Johannes Petrus van Horstok, (mentioned on object), Netherlands, 1755 - 1825, paper, etching, h 135 mm × w 160 mm
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Greenland exhibition at the Societe de Geographie de Paris, model of a sled made by Eskimos 1889. France. Europe. Old 19th century engraved illustration from La Nature 1889
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1960s SIGNS OF THE ZODIAC AROUND THE SUN ON A STAR BACKGROUND
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Illustration depicting a lunar halo or 'glory'. Like similar phenomena observed round the sun, such haloes are caused by the reflection from water droplets or minute ice particles in the earth's atmosphere. Dated 18th century
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Strange drawings on stones, vintage engraved illustration. From the Universe and Humanity, 1910.
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Fixed components air (circles): nitrogen is the largest sphere, followed by oxygen, argon, carbon dioxide, hydrogen, neon, helium, krypton, xenon; variable air components: volcanic gases, spores, steam, industrial gases, microorganisms, fermentation, drawing.
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Mrs. Caudle's Curtain Lectures.. London Stereoscopic Company (active 1854 - 1890)
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A stereo-format albumin photograph by Josef Gugler showing the Parthie am Virgl, created around 1875.
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Hypnagogic images - abstract shapes which present themselves on the threshold of sleep Date: 1867
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Computer generated illustration of an influenza virus bound to a receptor on the plasma membrane of a cell.
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Skiopticon image from the Department of Photography at the Royal Institute of Technology. Use by Professor Helmer Bäckström as lecture material. Bäckström was Sweden's first professor in photography at the Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm 1948-1958. SKC6497, SKC6498, SKC6499 is section of Fig. 79-81 1 page. 84 The chromatic aberration at a positive and a negative lens and the suspension of the fault by a combination of the two lenses to an acromat. For more info see: Bäckström, Helmer. Photographic manual. Nature and Culture. Stockholm. 1942. p. 84.
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The origins of life, vintage engraved illustration. Earth before man 1886.